Early symptoms of chronic kidney disease

The early symptoms of chronic kidney disease (CKD) resemble those of numerous other conditions. This is no coincidence given the fact that many other diseases can damage the kidneys, especially diabetes (both type 1 and 2) and high blood pressure.

Chronic kidney disease symptoms include:

· Loss of appetite.

· General malaise.

· Fatigue.

· Weakness.

· Headaches.

· Itching.

· Dry skin.

· Nausea.

· Unexplained loss of weight.

These may be the only sign that there is something wrong in the early stages of CKD. Further symptoms may take place once kidney function has already declined, such as:

· Unusually dark or light skin.

· Pain in the bones.

· Drowsiness.

· Difficulty concentrating or thinking.

· Numb or swollen hands and feet.

· Breath odor.

· Easy bruising.

· Bloody stools.

· Excessive thirst.

· Frequent hiccoughs.

· Sexual function problems.

· Amenorrhea.

· Shortness of breath.

· Sleep problems.

· Vomiting.

In addition to the aforementioned diabetes and hypertension, other conditions that can contribute to the deterioration of kidney function are:

· Inflammation of the kidney’s filtering units or of the kidney’s tubules and surrounding structures.

· Issues with the arteries that feed the kidneys.

· Pain and cancer medications and other drugs.

· Prolonged obstruction of the urinary tract, caused by an enlarged prostate, kidney stones and some cancers.

· Backward flow of urine into the kidneys.

· Other kidney condition.

Being a smoker, obese, of African-American, Native American or Asian-American descent, and older than 65 years of age are all factors that out a person at an increased risk of chronic kidney disease – and in turn, at risk of additional complications if not treated, for instance:

There is no cure for CKD, and severe cases result in kidney failure – necessitating a dialysis machine to take over the now inoperative kidneys to remove waste from the blood. This is why prevention is so important. Preventive measures include: